MOA for “Adopt a Hospital” Project in Surigao del Sur signed

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 25 (PIA) -- An estimated crowd of 250 comprising local chief executives of different municipalities in Surigao del Sur, Municipal Health Officers, heads of government agencies, some medical doctors, non-government organizations, and media personalities gathered on Tuesday at the provincial social hall in Tandag City to witness the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between the provincial government of Surigao del Sur, Department of Health (DOH), Montero Medical Missions, and partners from the public and private sectors for the project dubbed 'Adopt a Hospital’ with Adela Serra Ty Memorial Center (ASTMMC) as the recipient.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona was one of the MOA signatories.

Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel expressed his thanks to Health Secretary Ona for providing funds for the renovation of its health facilities in the province, in line with the department’s Hospital Facility Enhancement Program.

“The MOA aims to strengthen the delivery of health services of the recipient hospital - the ASTMMC, while the partners will provide assistance in the form of voluntary health services; capacity enhancement for the staff and technology transfer; and to have opportunities for observation visits in foreign hospitals; and donations of required medicines, supplies, equipment and devices; and technical support for information dissemination,” relayed Pimentel.

Also in the MOA, the provincial government through the Provincial Eyesight Board will mobilize local finance and in-kind resources to complement, aid, and improve infrastructure and equipment needs of the recipient hospital and provide transportation and accommodations to partner mission groups during the conduct of local or foreign surgical missions.

Sec. Ona said that the 'Adopt a Hospital' program is in line with the DOH Administrative Order 2012-0030, the guidelines on Foreign Surgical and Medical Mission (FSMM) Program in Support of Universal Health Care/Kalusugan Pangkalahatan and the Public-Private Partnership strategy of the dept to better delivery, efficient and quality health services to the public.

The FSMM Program of the department plays an important role in the delivery of health care services, especially in attaining Universal Health Care.

"FSMMs are activities where medical interventions and/or surgical services are provided to select underserved areas and communities by a foreign individual or organization in partnership with a local government unit (LGU), non-government organization (NGO), hospital or medical society. FSMM can either be a One-Time Conduct of Medical Mission or an 'Adopt a Hospital' Program," said Ona.

Ona further emphasized that as part of its aim to achieve Universal Health Care, in three years time, all Filipinos will be covered with the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance through the unified efforts of the LGUs and partner stakeholders in providing health care services especially to the indigents.

Meanwhile, along with other partners, Mr. Fryan Abkilan, Deputy Regional Director representing Regional Director Abner Caga of the Philippine Information Agency-Caraga signed in the MOA as manifestation of support and commitment to promote quality health services in the province with the media through intensified advocacy.(JPG/PIA-Caraga)